CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release
Page 4 of 5
SomatoEmotional Release
SER is is a body-mind technique that allows not just mechanical or body memories to be released, but sometimes significant emotional components as well.
It's worth mentioning briefly how SER came about. Dr John Upledger, in his work with autistic children at Michigan State University in the mid-70's, noticed that many of these children would spontaneously move into positions that would facilitate the release of old patterns, memories and situations with an emotional component. These positions were spontaneous, without plan, and would sometimes be facilitated by more than one therapist who was present.
As Dr Upledger further investigated SER in his private practice, he found that dialogue could also be a key factor in the process--with the opportunity, when it arose, to speak with various parts of the body, a memory from the past, or even someone's 'inner intelligence' or 'inner physician' which knew the whole story of someone's past.
Often, if questioned in a respectful and appropriate manner, this inner physician would help resolve old conflicts that might have been 'holding up', delaying, or hindering the return to complete or full health. Out of this experience of dialogue arose the concept of therapeutic imagery and dialogue, which is an adjunct to SER.
The key to understanding the SER process is that it only comes about at the 'invitation' of the client, and that it is useful in resolving, in a very safe way, issues that may have been holding up a client's healing process for years. SER is the extra 'piece' of the healing puzzle which is sometimes necessary for a client to feel complete, resolved and at peace in body and mind. From many strands of mind and body work, drawing on both conventional science and traditional wisdom, Dr Upledger developed SomatoEmotional Release®. It is a framework and toolkit for facilitating personal growth, away from illness and lack of potential and towards health and fulfillment.
CST and SER: go to page five--SomatoEmotional Release